Display device



Sept. 4, 1934. J D. McMASTER 1,972,155

DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Dec. 16, 1933 ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 4, 1934UNITED v STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to display devicesand particularly to display devices in which there is a moving orvibrating fluid brilliantly lighted to attract attention. I

The object of the invention is to provide such a device in simple andinexpensive form convenient to move, easy to assemble and permittingfigures, letters,insignia or decorations to-be replaced and rearrangedso as to change the dis play and adapt it to different words, figures,and

the like.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating the invention Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a display device embodying this invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view partly in' section of said device; I

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2*;

Fig. 4 is an elevational view showing two display units adapted toassociate together words, figures or other insignia; and

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a connector for display devices as shownin Fig. 4.

In the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing,the device comprises a base or box 10 carrying the display parts 11above it. These display elements 11 are shown as letters formed of ahollow glass tubing hermeti- 30 cally sealed and partly but not whollyfilled with a fluid 12 which is liquid at ordinary temperatures andwhose boiling point is such that a moderate heating of the liquid willtend to cause it to bubble sufficiently violently to cause all of thefluid in each heated display device to rapidly move and circulate.Preferably each letter or other device will be provided with a bulb orreservoir 13 positioned close to a source of heat such as the electricalbulb 14. When the bulb 14 is shut off normal conditions prevail and theliquid 12 in the display parts 11 remains quiet, reaching a definitelevel such as 15 beneath the vapor and gas 16 above it. When, however,the bulb 14 is lighted it will heat each-bulb 13 of each letter or 15figure, finally bringing the liquid to a boiling temperature so thatbubbles are constantly formed in the bulb and passed upward through theliquid above to be recondensed in the upper parts of the tubularstructure, which upper parts 30 thus act to condense the vapors andreflux the liquid back into the body of the liquid below.

Preferably each box will be of a size to accommodate a light bulb l4 andwill have socketsor holders 20 placed to hold the bulbs 13 adjacent thelight so as to be radiantly heated thereby.

The sockets 20 may be formed of wire as shown attached to the side ofthe box at 21 and having the spring prongs 22 snap fitting the bulb 13.One side 24 of the box cover has its edge 25 vertically above thesockets and provided with recesses or 00 cut outs 26 for the necks 27 ofthe display devices 11. The other side of the box top is formed bypivoted covers 30, one for each socket. These covers 30 are hinged alongthe outer edge at 31 and have their inner ends 32 meeting edge 25 andprovided with corresponding cut outs 33 fitting around the other half ofthe necks 27 of the display devices. To replace or change one of thesetubes 11 the corresponding cover 30 is opened, the tube tipped slightlyfrom the vertical (to the right, Fig. 3) and withdrawn outward andupward from the socket 20. Similarly in replacing a tube 11, it istipped (to the right, Fig. 3) and inserted in the proper socket 20 andthen straightened into the vertical to fit in recess 26 after which thecorresponding cover 30 is closed over to position its recess 33 aroundthe neck 27 of the tube.

To illuminate the liquid in the tubes the tube bulbs 13 are transparentto admit the light rays 30 from the bulb 14 and reflector 35 andpreferably additional light is thrown on the tubes through openings inthe box top. For instance, the covers 30 may have slits 36 provided bypu ching up the strips 37 as shown, these strips acting as de- 35fiectors to confine the light to the direction of the tubes and keep itfrom forming a glare visible to the observer. Each box 10 will form aunit separately supporting, heating and illuminating a number of tubes.Longer words or sentences may be formed by simply connecting up anydesired number of units end to end. For this purpose each box 10 isprovided with pairs of end orifices 40 adapted to receive eyelets 41 ofthe connectors 42 (Fig. 5). In this way a series of boxes are fastenedtogether in alinement to any desired length. The successive sockets 30are evenly spaced in sequence since said sockets are only half spacesfrom the end walls of the box 10.

The display device of this invention is simple and inexpensive instructure and rugged and durable in use. At the same time it is widelychangeable and adaptable. The display elements themselves are permanentand do not deteriorate 105 in use, and may be formed in any variety oflettering, insignia or decorative effects. It is only necessary to formthe tubing to the required shape with the parts to be observedtransparent and the remaining portion rendered opaque as by 1 coating orfilm 47 between the bulb 13 and the display element 11.

In the specific embodiment shown in the drawing these display elementscan be turned at any desired angle in their sockets and either side ofthe container may face toward the observer, depending upon the effectdesired. In the form shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the preferred front faceis that formed by the wall 48 and the cover portion 24, the illuminationthen being thrown up onto the agitated liquid through the rear coveropenings. As a window display it is only necessary to assemble thecontainers and the display elements and connect the successivecontainers together and then plug into the current supply for theelectric light bulbs in usual manner.

I claim:

1. In a display device, the combination with a combined container andsupport comprising a box-like structure of opaque material, of means insaid container for receiving a light bulb and maintaining it out ofsight, socket means carried by said container adjacent said bulb for detachably supporting devices in position to be heated and illuminated bysaid bulb, and transparent tubular devices having bulb portions in saidsocket means within said container and having protruding portionscontaining a liquid illuminated by the light of said bulb and agitatedby the heat thereof.

2. In a display device, the combination with a combined container andsupport, of a plurality of sockets in said container, transparenttubular devices adapted to be removably and interchangeably supported insaid sockets, heating and lighting means in said container including anelectric light bulb and reflector, and a fluid in said tubular devicesadapted to be agitated and illuminated by said heating and lightingmeans. 0

3. In a display device, the combination with a container having amovable cover portion, of a plurality of socket supports below saidcover, transparent tubular devices adapted to fit in said sockets andextend through said cover, heating and lighting means in said containerincluding an electric light bulb and reflector, and a fluid in saidtubular devices adapted to be agitated and illuminated by said heatingand lighting means.

4. A display device comprising a plurality of combined, containers andsupports, each container having heating and lighting means within it andcarrying a series of tubular transparent devices above it with fluidadapted to be agitated and illuminated by said heating and lightingmeans and detachable connecting means for removably assembling andretaining said plurality of containers end to end.

JOHN D. MCMASTER.

